RAF fighter jets in Middle East fitted with new laser system to take out enemy drones

A laser guided anti-drone weapon has been deployed by the Royal Airforce to help keep Brits safe in the Middle East.

The new Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) will be fitted to RAF Typhoon fighter jets so that they can destroy targets precisely and at a fraction of the price missiles currently cost.

The system has now been deployed on operations in the Middle East with 9 Squadron RAF Typhoon fighter jets as part of the missions to defend British people, interests and partners from threats.

The APKWS uses a laser targeting system which turns unguided missiles into low-cost precision weapons able to take down enemy drones and other threats. Developing low-cost systems helps slash the price of countering the increasing threat of drones to UK forces and partners.

Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry Luke Pollard MP said: “This has been a superb effort working with industry to test and deploy this system in a matter of months, which will help the RAF shoot down many more drones at a much lower cost. Our Typhoon fleet is the backbone of UK and NATO air defence, with the RAF protecting European’s Eastern flank from Russian drone incursions and defending our partners across the Middle East.”

Through quick procurement and testing, the rapid system has gone from testing to deployment on operations in less than two months. UK aircraft continue to operate across the Middle East, with pilots and aircrew surpassing 2,500 flying hours since the conflict in the region began, equivalent to over three months of continuous flying on defensive missions.

Air Commodore Donal McGurk, Air 11 Group Deputy Director Operations: “We welcome the speed of development and meticulous testing behind the deployment of these missile systems for use on our Typhoons. They are a valuable addition to the air defence package we are already employing with agility across the Middle East.”

It comes just weeks after the MOD signed a multi-million-pound contract to buy Skyhammer interceptor missiles for the UK Armed Forces designed to counter Shahed-style attack drones. In January, the Ministry of Defence committed over £650 million to upgrade the RAF's Typhoon fighter jet fleet, securing over 1,500 jobs across the UK.